William h



W. H. WILEY'.

GRAPPLE. No. 384,107. lPatented June 5, 1888.

(No Model.)

WIZWESSES, al

ttorizey inclosures, the said jaws being released in and exact description of the invention, such as UNITED ,STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM H. WILEY, OF STOCKTON, KANSAS.

GRAP

PLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,107, dated `Tune 5, 1888.

Application filed February 2, 1888.

To aZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that l, WILLIAM H. WILEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Stockton, in the county of Rocks and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples; and I do hereby declare the following to be'a full, clear,

will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in grapples; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts thereof, which will be more fully hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a grapple having a suitablyconstructed pawl connected therewith acting with the stud or pin which is situated abovel the pivotal con` nection of the two jaws of the grapple, and is adapted for retaining said jaws in an open position when being lowered in wells or other striking the bottom of the inclosure, thereby grappling the object sought to be lifted. I attain this object by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein like letters of reference represent similar parts, and in which a perspective View of my improved grapple is shown in an open position with my improvement applied in con nection therewith and supporting the jaws in said adjustment.

A A indicate the jaws, which may be constructed in any preferred manner, and which are pivoted at a point, a, below the upper ends of said jaws, as in the usual form of grapple. The upper ends of said jaws A are formed with eyes a', to which loops b at the lower ends of tie-rods B are secured, the upper ends of said tie-rods having suitable loops, b', formed therein connected to a ring, C, which in turn is secured to rope R, chain, or other equivalent device by which the grapple may be supported, elevated, or lowered.

To one of the jaws A a pawl, D, is pivot- Serial No. 262,717. (No model.)

ally secured at a point, d', above the pivot a of the jaws, and is formed at its opposite end with a series of indentations or serrations, d, which engage with a stud or pin, a, secured to theppposite jaw, A, at a point above the pivot a. By this means the extent of opening of the jaws A A is rendered adjustable, as will be readily understood. When the pawl has been set in connection with the stud or pin a2, as shown in the drawing, the grapple is lowered in the inclosure or well, or used for any other purpose Vthat may be desired, and when the lower portions of said jaws of the grapple strike the bottom of the inclosure the rope is slackened and said jaws press open, and the pawl D is released from the stud or pin a2. The article or weight to be lifted is then more readily inclosed by the jaws of the grapple without any unnecessary delay of adjustment of the jaws in connection with said article or weight.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to `provide a grapple with a device for sustaining the jaws thereof in an open position, and in the devices heretofore used and constructed vthe pawl has either been below the pivotal the jaws above the pivot a, and a pawl pivoted tothe other jaw, also above said pivot,

and having upwardly and outwardly facing notches in its upper edge to engage the stud. In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. WILEY. Witnesses:

J A. Dock, AXEL MEYER.

o ing to close the latter, astud secured to one of 9o 

